Tuesday, February 04, 2014

Statement from Quezada on discriminatory bill HB 2153

STATE
CAPITOL, PHOENIX –
Rep. Martín Quezada, D-Phoenix (District 29), released this statement after
Republicans in the Arizona House of Representatives Government Committee passed
HB 2153.

“This
bill is little more than a platform for an extremist agenda. It would provide
an excuse to discriminate against anyone for almost any reason. The language in
this bill is broad and vague and could be used to justify breaking any state or
local law in the name of religious freedom. It seems to take aim at the civil
rights laws recently passed by Phoenix, Flagstaff and Tucson. Arizona has
already enacted a Religious Freedom Restoration Act that allows for religious
defenses. HB 2153 is unnecessary and seeks to address a problem that does not
exist in our state.”